Page:History of the French in India.djvu/464

 438 GOOEHEU AND DE LEYRTT. chap, been known that the English commander, Major x * Lawrence, had been waiting only the conclusion of an 17o4. arrangement for native assistance with Mafauz Khan, elder brother of Muhammad Ali, to endeavour to escort supplies into Trichinapalli. Of the movements of thic convoy Mainvillc had had the most certain intelligence, and he had made all his arrangements to cut it off. Only three days after he had delivered up his command to Maissin he learned that the convoy, escorted by 1,200 English troops, 3,000 sipahis, and fourteen field- pieces, with a native contingent of 5,500 men and several guns, had arrived at a village six miles to the east of Elmiseram, and that it would endeavour to force its way the next morning between the Sugar-loaf and the French Rocks. Mainville, who had employed the previous two months in reconnoitring this ground, at once informed his successor of the intended movement, and strongly urged him to move out at once and take possession of a watercourse running out of the Kavari, the near bank of which commanded the country beyond. He indicated to him also the names of two officers, MM. Gaudart and Aumont, who were thoroughly ac- quainted with the country, and to whom Mainville himself, when in command, had confided his intentions. Maissin listened to the communication with apparent pleasure, and set out with the avowed intention of putting it into execution. No sooner, however, had he reached the Sugar-loaf Rock, than, obedient to his secret instructions, he drew up his army close to a tank in front of it, and, leaving the watercourse unguarded, waited the approach of the enemy. When Lawrence did appear, — his convoy defiling on his right, — marching as much at ease as on a field day, and opened fire from a battery he had erected on the high bank of the watercourse, Maissin declined an action, and retired without even firing a shot.* Whilst this was going on, a Maisurian officer, » M. de Mainville says, " il se retira sans qu'il y eut une amorce de fusil